Showing posts with label critique partners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label critique partners. Show all posts

Monday, October 13, 2014

Are You Real Writer??

Am I a real author?
 I mean I haven't published so much as a short story. I don't have an agent, heck I haven't even sent out my first query. So, what makes me believe that I'm a Real writer?
On  my twitter page apart of my introduction was, I'm an aspiring author. What does that mean?

To aspire to something means to: direct one's hopes or ambitions toward achieving something. 

Someone I follow on Twitter said, if you actively write daily toward whatever goals you set for yourself as a writer, you are no longer aspiring or hoping to be a writer. In working toward your goals as a writer you are indeed a writer.

I agreed and quickly changed my Twitter status to Writer. 


Today I wanted to write this post to beginners, or those who have made the conscious decision to be a writer. Those who spend countless hours research, outlining, and drafting a story with the hopes of it one day being sent out into the world.

I read a blog post today on not giving up on this journey. As I read the things that inspired this blogger, it made me think of my own journey. One of the things she said helped her was having a great support group.


I 100% agree with her. Aside from getting words onto paper, the biggest challenge I've had on my writing journey is finding a great support group.

Most people start in thier home or immediate circle of family and friends. This is a great, and it's what I would tell someone starting out. Let your husband children sister or sister friend read your work and give their advice.

I mean, let's face it, our family sometimes can be brutally honest without sugar-coating it. And believe me you'll be thankful for this in the long run.

But what if like me, no one in you household likes what you write. On any given day everyone in my household(my husband and 2 daughters) has at least 3 books on their night table. However, my husband the computer geek, read only self help or how to computer related books, and he prefers that they be in French(since it's his first language).

My daughters: one reads urban style books about teens she relates better to at his point in her life( none of them can perform magic, and she likes it that way).And the other is middle grade fantasy(and a pretty good writer herself. One of her stories about a spooky magic mirrored was recommended for publication in her school. Which is saying a lot, seeing as though she's homeschool through a vitual programmed students are scatter all over the US.) Sorry I got side tracked, proud mama here. 


Needless to say whenever they read something of mine, I feel like the advise they offer is based on what they read. Instead of being based on what's right in front of them.

Finding a support group outside of home, in this great big ol' world has been more than a challenge. I find that trying to find a critique group of writers who fit just right with you is a nightmare.

I really want to offer more on how to find/keep a critique partner, but this post is already longer than I intended, so I will continue it in another post. Meanwhile listed below are twitter links and blog link to the people mentioned in this post. Check them out.

Also stay tuned for my next post on Finding A critique Partner/ Writing Group.

Feel free to drop any advice on how having/not having a critique partner/writing group has help/not help you.

( BLOG)PUB(lishing) CRAWL                    TWITTER NATASHA NEAGLE

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Queries and Pitches and Agents ...Oh My!

So, I 've been carousing the blogs, checking out all the pitch contest and having a blast I might add. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting new authors and immersing myself in my craft. I have gained a wealth of information and learned a few lessons in the process.

Unfortunately all this fun has wreaked havoc on my word count. I haven't actually written anything on my current WIP but all has not been a waste. I have outline and  mapped out a short story that I will turn into a novel for nanawrimo (which I am ubber excited about). So I have been busy just not working on my novel.

Don't get me wrong, it has not been from a lack of trying. I don't know if it's because I am so excited about my new ms or I'm too engaged in all the blog hops.

All the distractions only added to my issues on my current wip, which thanks to an awesome CP  Stacey I think I have finally hashed out my issues (or blog hopping...just kidding) and am all to excited to kick my writing into high gear.

So I said all that to say, although I have been having mountains of fun with all the great contest happening ( did I say I haven't been able to participate, because my book is just a wip, but I was able to host and critique you know the other meat and potatoes). I am going on contest hiatus to try and finish my wip and gear up for nano. After Get Your Pitch On is over I will go from blog hopper to blog wall flower.

Has any of you participated in any contest? Will you be doing nanawrimo? If so let's be buddies 


Thanks for stopping by and listening to my rantings... as always don't be a strange


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Critique Partners and Groups #GUTGAA!!

MAKE THE CONNECTION







I am so happy that I found about gutgaa, it has given me the chance to meet new authors and find other blogs with a host of information. It has also encouraged me to stay the course. Although I am not finish with my MS I am working even harder to complete it. 

Which brings me today's post, I need a critique partner or a group. If you know of other searching or are searching your self, I would really like to chat with you and see if we are a match. I appreciate all the help I have received on this journey but find that most are already connected.
Gutgaa, is great what Deana is doing is amazing and no small task, I hope to forge some great friendships from participating. If you are interested please place a comment on this post. If you already have partner(s) but know someone who is searching, please share this post/my blog. I really appreciate your help.

Again thanks for stopping by, don't be a stranger.


Sunday, September 9, 2012

*Excerpts* Sapphire's Dawn

After some valuable critique I decided to revise this excerpt see revisions here



I decided to post an excerpt from my WIP , as a part of GUTGAA, I am looking for a critique partner or a group. If this grabs your attention, or you would like to work with me Please leave me a comment below. Also if you have the time please take a moment to critique. Applying the golden rule of course, but I am not fragile.


“Where did she come from?”

“I don't know, the young ones found her near the water. She's not a familiar, so they brought her here before going to council and, before she was conscious. She has no light doc, that's impossible right?”

I could hear them but, I couldn't see them, I felt my eyes were open but, there was only darkness. The older male voice was the doctor, but I couldn't tell if the other voice was a male or female because of the  high  pitch tone. I was sure it was a teenager like me.  I was so use to hearing this tone down every hall in school.

“No. It's not  impossible for one of us to not have a light,” answered the doctor.

I know I'm dreaming again, when I  hear  familiar voices in my head. Is that Mrs. Kensington?  OMG! Am I in class-

“What are you going to do with her doc?” the younger voice interrupted my thoughts of complete horror.

If being the new, don't touch or talk to me because, I am not interested in joining your clubs or cliques girl wasn't enough. I'm also  the  freak that falls asleep in class and  narrate a vivid account of the voices in my head. Kill me now because it will take weeks for this to blow over. The last time this happened I stayed home for a week the taunts were unbearable. After a week of absences people were more worried about me having committed suicide or something  more morbid then that.

“How is it possible for one of us not to have a light doc?” The voice shrieked

“Can you please go and get the other elders, tell them there is hybrid in our mist. They will know what to do.” I could tell the doctor was annoyed.

“A hybrid? But I thought they didn’t exist, the mere mention is what caused the last uprising” the voice was higher if at all possible. I could hear the urgency in it's footsteps as it turned and ran out of the room. Hybrid...huh. Why haven't I awakened? I can't recall  being this aware or dreaming for this long. Focus Zara, you must wake up. 

It seemed like only a few minutes had passed, when I  hear the sound of many feet approaching all at once. I understand what they were saying, but  the fear in their voices was evident even from a distance. There’s maybe three or four more voices in the room with the doctor and the boy with the high pitched voice. I knew this now because I heard someone call him Michael. The footsteps become louder as they get closer to me. “Impossible. How did she get here?” This voice was an even older man.

“We don't know the young ones found her near the forbidden waters unconscious, they brought her here when they noticed she had no light,” the doctor answered.

“We must get rid of her before the others knows she is here. We don’t need the threat of another uprising, our planet will not survive it. Let's call a gathering of all the elders at once, we will be rid of her by nightfall,”it was another older voice. I guess these are the elders he asked for.

“So is she a hybrid?” Michael’s voice was panicked, this scared me too although it was just a dream I could hear my heart thud behind my ears. Get rid of me what does that mean. Why can't I wake up. I have to get out of this dream before- I cringed at  the thought.

The background noise in my head changes. I know I am no longer in class, the feel of weightlessness tells me my body is being moved. Now there is complete silence to add to the darkness. I need to awaken before I lose my mind completely.
I heard a loud noise, as if a door was forced open, footsteps coming toward me again, as they got closer the voices became clearer. The doctor was back with the older voice they called elder, there were two voices I didn't recognize, but I could tell they were as old as this elder.

“It's the same one as before, how is this possible I thought you got rid of it doctor,” the first elder asked

“I did, I destroyed it just as you instructed. It can’t be the same one.” The doctor insisted.

Destroyed! I try to control the trembles that are erupting from my body. I don't want them to know I’m conscious. I can tell they are as afraid of me as I am of them.

“If you destroyed her why is she back? How is she back?” Another voice elder said.

The doctors voice was abrupt, “I think now the real problem is finding the portal and sealing it for good. Instead of worrying how or why she is back, let's make it impossible for her to return.” 

“They know we won't allow them to expose us, and why try now?” I recognize the first elder's voice. “ Has anyone else notice the most important factor? Not only does this girl not have a light, there is no way she could come through a portal or survived our atmosphere."

"so, she is a  hybrid because," Michael questioned. 

It is clear she is not one of us, nor is she the girl from the last time, she had to come from Earth having survived both she has to be is a hybrid.” as fast as the words left the doctors mouth a collective gasp filled the room, followed by silence. 

“There are no such beings as hybrids, and we all thank you to not spread inexplicable notions. Are you trying to cause another uprising? Our kind can not mate with human. Those are just old fables told to the young ones to keep them from trouble. Doctor, you are  too wise to believe such tales.”

“Well then, how do you explain this human girl with no light in our universe having survived the trip and our atmosphere?” The doctor was shouting in anger, and I couldn't help but wonder why I was still in this dream. It seems so real, why can't I wake up?

“I can't explain it, but in all my five centuries I have never seen a hybrid. This fact is not because we don’t believe in them, but because they simply can not and do not exist.To end this fruitless debate, I vote now that we destroy this being immediately it is already beginning to taint our views, and alter our judgement.”

All the voices in the room each vote yes to destroy me at once. The fact that this was just a dream gave little comfort as a jolt of fear course through me. I feel my body being whisked away swiftly as if I was on something with wheels. As it rolls faster my heart pounds to its rhythm. The temperature went from cool to bolstering hot. I could feel the sweat roll down my face and back. I’m having trouble breathing the heat is so stifling, my lungs ache  searching for fresh air. It was getting hotter, I could feel my skin wither, like I was on fire. I let out a scream when I realized what was happening. There was no pain, just the feeling of suffocating. I scream louder, there was still only darkness the voices were  gone. I felt something cold on my forehead, someone calling my name.

“Zara, wake up honey come back to us.” It was my mom I try to scream louder there is no sound,  I can’t breathe. I could feel my moms  hair brush against my cheeks, her breathe cool on my face. I attempt again to find air, I inhale coughing after filling my lungs, I exhale.I'm back. 

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Critique and BETA Connections


1) Name and a one sentence intro of who you are.
Paula Sangare. I am a mother, daughter, sister,  wife, and BFF. I love all things beauty and writing has always been a secret passion. 
2) What do you write (age target and general genres).
YA Fantasy
3) Are you ready to jump right in and begin submitting your work to another?
YES
4) Are you looking for a critique partner or a group?
I'm open to both
5) Would you prefer to submit weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or as needed? And how much would you like to submit each time (chapter, 2 chapters, etc)?
Weekly or Bi-weekly a chapter at a time.
6) What kind of critique feedback are you looking for?
I want the basics, as well as ideas on how I could maybe tighten a statement, or if it needs to be said differently to get my point across. I hope that answers this question.
7) How can I contact you? (email)
psangare51@gmail.com


BETA READER


1) A brief introduction.
I'm a new author the MS I'm working on now is my second attempt. The first is still a work in progress. I finally decided to take the time to write seriously and dedicate time to write. I have a family and a business that keeps me busy, writing has become an escape.
2) Is it only for a current WIP or are you looking for someone long term?
I'm looking for someone long term
3) If current what is the project (a one sentence summary along with genre and age target)
YA Fantasy about Sapphire a seventeen year old high school student who learns Earth is not her home.
4) If long term what do you like to write (age target and general genres)
I love YA Epic Fantasy, and all it entails, I love creating new worlds
5) Do you have something ready now? When do you anticipate having something ready/needing a BETA Reader?I am on target to complete my MS by November 1st